Published: Sunday, June 9, 2013, 12:01 a.m.

Everett High School Principal Sally Lancaster said she has come to know Peterson as "a kind, wonderful person with this brilliant mind."

Peterson, 18, is a National Merit Scholarship finalist headed to Seattle Pacific University after graduating from Everett High. She'll pursue pre-professional health programs, with an eye on medical school. She hopes to become a physician assistant or a pediatrician.

"I'm really excited about the future," Peterson said.

Being a National Merit finalist, earned by scoring very well on the Preliminary SAT, brought Peterson a Boeing-sponsored scholarship of $1,500 per year for four years of college.

This school year, she also served on the Snohomish Health District's Public Health Advisory Council. "She's the only student," said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, the health district's director.

In that role, Peterson attended monthly 7:30 a.m. meetings this school year. The advisory group helped review data for a community health "report card" recently released by the health district.

"She represents the best of what this next generation is bringing forward," Goldbaum said.

At Everett High, Peterson played volleyball and was on the track team. She will work this summer for the Everett AquaSox. She'll also put four years of Spanish studies to use on a mission trip to Mexico with Everett's Bible Baptist Church.

Peterson could have attended community college through Running Start, but chose a four-year high school experience. She has college credits from Advanced Placement courses and a UW in the High School oceanography class. "I'll go into college as a sophomore," she said.

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Class of 2013: She's got her eye on medical school